Trib-Review staffer Colin McNickle's note to colleagues over "Shove it" incident.

Poynter ^ | 08/13/04 | Poynter

[Pikamax]

Trib-Review staffer McNickle's note to colleagues 8/12/2004 3:57:47 PM

From: [Colin McNickle] Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 21:33:37 -0400 To: [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newsroom] Subject: Thank you, from Boston

All,

I have received words of support and encouragement from folks all over the world after I asked a simple question and Teresa told me to shove it.

In the CNN newsroom Monday night, Jeff Greenfield didn't dare say "good job." But I got his wink. The same with Bob Novak, who gave me a hearty thumbs up on CNN's set Monday night. Anderson Cooper, host of CNN's "360," said I surprised him with my reasoned recititation of the facts; he asked me back during the GOP convention in NYC next month. I intend to take him up on the offer.

N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson told me, "You've got balls, son, but I'll deny it if anybody asks," then offered me a hearty slap on the back outside the Omni Parker House. "I have to admit, you're the man," Sam Donaldson told me at "The Last Hurrah" bar Tuesday night. OK, Sam WAS drunk.

Jimmy Carter, who I've know since covering the Mondale campaign in '84, dropped by as I was having dinner this evening, and expressed his support. His "private" support, that is. I met Mr. Carter in '84 in Plains during the Mondale campaign and have received a Christmas card every year since.. And there were the "usual suspects" such as Rich Lowry, editor of National Review and Rush Limbaugh. For cryin' out loud, even the ultra-liberal editorial page guys at the L.A. Times supported me.

And that's just a sampling of some of those who have offered their kudos over the last few days. (A security guy who recogized me about 2 blocks from the Kerry residence in Beacon Hill was the biggest surprise. And all I did was ask for directions.)

And let me say this: As dismaying it was to be called an asshole and worse by total strangers who recognized my face on a Boston street, or to be ridiclued for supposedly saying Teresa was 'un-American' in the Boston Common, it was a "heady" experience to get a free beer at a posh Boston hotel by a bartender who recognized me and, to mimic Hillary Clinton, told me, "You go, boy!" (Upon learning of my identity, the mayor of Atlanta (a Democrat) shook my hand.)

But by FAR, the most gratifying messages of support came from you, my colleagues at the Trib. Powerful people impugned not only my character and reputation but our newspaper's. "Right-wing rag?" I think not. And no matter what ideological differences we may have, we all are Tribbers, working incredibly long hours against great odds in pursuit of excellence in journalism. We are making a difference, not just in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County but nationwide.

Frank & Bob, thanks for your measured, steady help and guidance. It's nice to work with pros who know how to make good decisions on deadline. David Brown, thanks for your fine reportage.

Janet, thanks -- THANKS -- for becoming my "press agent" and doing an absolutely WONDERFUL job in arranging things when I was on full overload.

Gery, Bill,Dimitri (& Bob Pellegrino and Grace Fick in GTR) - you're the best; in more than 25 years in this business -- and that includes my days at UPI and the AP, I've NEVER worked with a better crew.

Mark Whittaker -- thanks for understanding and arranging the Blog. And thanks, too, to Kelley Brandish.

Sandy, Kim, Gwen, Cara, thanks so much for your kind support.

Trish, I have to say I was particulary touched by your note. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. It erased the fatigue of a 72-hour span in which I slept six hours. (And remember those Thanksgiving turkey napkins you gave so many years ago when I couldn't find them? I still have them.)

I firmly believe this is another watershed moment in the Pittsburgh Trib's history. Evermore, we are a newspaper of national import. The nation will listen to what we report and on what we editorialize. We cannot be, we will not be, ignored. And I'm incredibly proud to be associated with you ALL.

Onward.

Cheers, Colin, from Boston.

[Enterprise]

Well, I extend my thanks too for a job well done. And as Kerry himself would say - "Speak truth to power." (Only the pantywaist wouldn't DARE say it to TeRAYzuh)

[Tribune7]

ping

[hemogoblin]

[NonValueAdded]

So does this mean that most of the main-stream media privately loathes the pretender and his african queen but still will not abandon their protect-the-RAT-ticket-at-all-costs coverage? I guess they can always blame their editors.

[bpjam]

Basically, yes.

[mountaineer]

You're probably right. It also seems some high-level Dem politicians, e.g., Carter and Richardson, don't think much of al-Qerry and Mama T, but wouldn't dare admit it. With any luck, TerAYzah will completely destroy her beloved's campaign.

Hmmm, should I slip her a mickey or just have her bound and gagged? I have to shut her up somehow. Hmmm...

[sr4402]

Hmmm, I tried spining it as if she said 'Shove Off' and that didn't work, I've talked to her about not getting states wrong 'Nevada' for 'Arizona', what to do about Teresa? Perhaps an annulment and another wife?'

/Sarcasm off

[Wil H]

Hmmm, I tried spining it as if she said 'Shove Off' and that didn't work, I've talked to her about not getting states wrong 'Nevada' for 'Arizona', what to do about Teresa? Perhaps an annulment and another wife?'

Hmmm, now where's that Forbes list of the richest one thousand people in America ?

[Akira]

LOL!

[ridesthemiles]

I sincerely hope this man has a large paid up life insurance policy.

Arkancide is too close to this man. He has taken a couple of layers off the Demorat onions.